The goal of this research is to help producers maintain colony health while assuring the maintenance of honey quality. The NHB is encouraging proposals on Varroa research, but will consider proposals dealing with Acarapis woodi, Nosema Ceranae, and small hive beetle; the investigation into the causes and controls of Colony Collapse Disorder; and honey bee nutrition, immunology, and longevity.

The NHB is open to both projects that find new methods of maintaining health, and ones that combine current methods to increase efficacy rates.Other projects will be considered and research outside the U.S. is possible.

The amount of funds available for a particular proposal will depend on the number and merit of proposals finally accepted. The funds will be available for approved projects for the duration of the calendar year 2014 and may be carried into early 2015 if necessary; the duration of projects being funded should generally not exceed 12 months.

Proposals must be received at the National Honey Board office by 5:00p.m. Mountain Time, November 15, 2013. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Instructions on how to submit a research proposal may be found on the NHB website at www.honey.com.